FROM THE URC MINISTER

Two years ago was my first Ickenham Festival.  If this year is your first, I strongly recommend you take the chance to go to as many different events as you can. 

I wrote afterwards, “I found it a splendid opportunity to see parts of Ickenham new to me, hear about history and life today, have substantial conversations, and support charities that are important to people.”  I was impressed that so many different activity groups, families, skilled individuals, community services and businesses contributed special events to the programme for all to share. 

I felt I gained a greater sense of what it means to belong or have links to Ickenham, and I noted the welcome, the trust, the fun and enthusiasm, the great variety and the interest in each other, as well as the historical and geographical features of identity.  The Festival traditions seemed to mean so much to the regulars, and the preparations were tremendous. 

From the churches we particularly hope that you enjoy the special services for the Festival, at start and finish of the week, run jointly by both churches. 

On Sunday 13th June it is the turn of the URC to host the service, at 10.30am.  The drama group is preparing a short presentation of the history of God’s people in Ickenham.  The preacher will be the Revd Canon Simon Evans, Area Dean of Hillingdon.  We have invited civic guests, and you are all invited to share in worship and celebration. 

On Sunday 20th June we are grateful for the provision that allows us to hold an Open Air service in Swakeleys Grounds, using the facilities left from Gala Day.  Look out for special features of that service, which will be advertised during the week.  The Open Air service will begin at 11.15am and will be followed by games and a bring-your-own picnic.

Through this year’s Festival, the churches aim to celebrate

• the skills and gifts of many local people
• the growing links between the communities of Ickenham and Rukiga in Uganda
• the 25th anniversary of the covenant partnership between the two Ickenham churches

As I look forward to the wonderful array of events and conversations, I pray that God’s blessings will be known through this great sharing of community life here.

Bernie

 

FROM ST GILES’ CLERGY

I suppose, like me, most people think they are in charge of their day-to-day lives, deciding what they are going to do and when they are going to do it.  It comes as a bit of a shock when you realise that you are not as in control as you thought. 

In April, together with two other members of the CLICK Rukiga Committee, I was due to fly to Rukiga in Uganda to see how the project had progressed since our visit three years ago and to see in what direction our energies might be channelled in the future.  But, alas, we were grounded by the volcanic ash that came from Iceland, paralysing most of Europe by grounding all flights.  By the time it was safe to fly again, the trip had to be postponed.  Setting up such a visit is not easy; there are people to see, appointments to make and a schedule to plan, which all takes time and effort and cannot simply be transplanted from one week to another. 

As I sat at home, frustrated by events, there were lots of articles in the newspapers questioning whether people would get their money back from cancelled flights and holidays, and speculation that insurance companies would not pay up for what they saw as an “Act of God”.  But this was simply an act of nature.  We float on top of a ball of molten rock and iron, and every now and again this breaks through the earth’s crust as a volcanic eruption.  Indeed, there are active volcanoes all over the earth’s surface and periodically they erupt in spectacular ways. 

Fortunately, British Airways have allowed us to transfer our tickets to another flight.  At present we plan to go to Rukiga in September, but in the meantime there are other things to do.  In Ickenham Festival Week there is a musical concert at the Compass Theatre on Saturday 12th June, then a sponsored bicycle ride on Sunday 20th June, both raising funds for CLICK Rukiga.  I hope that as many of you as possible will support these events.  For more details, see the posters around the village, the Festival programme or contact me. 

Ken Tombs

 

FROM THE CHURCHES’ REGISTERS

Wedding at St Giles’
May 8th            David Edward Herbert and Helen Christine Barry

Cremations at Breakspear Crematorium
Apr 22nd          Peter Childs, aged 83
Apr 26th           Denis Barfoot, aged 88
Apr 30th           John Snead, aged 76
May 5th            William Gregory, aged 81

 

ST GILES’ CHURCH STREET PRAYER LIST

Each Sunday at St Giles’ Church we pray for all the people who live or work in a particular road in the Parish.  During June we will pray for the following roads: 

June 6th            Irwin Close
June 13th            Ivyhouse Road
June 20th            Kempton Close
June 27th            Kenbury Close

If you live in one of these roads why not join us at our 8am or 9.45am services?  You will be most welcome.